In 1851, John Witt Randall, a prominent benefactor of Stow, offered his library of 700 books to the town. His bequest of $25,000 in 1894 enabled the construction of a library building along with the establishment of a permanent trust fund in the sum of $12,500. The annual income derived from this trust continues to support the library’s acquisitions of materials for collections. The library is named in his honor.

George G. Adams of Lawrence, Massachusetts was the architect and A. P. Powers, the contractor. The building cost $8,866.65 and was dedicated on February 22, 1894. In 1920, the Whitney Room was added to the original building as a donation from various members of the Whitney family. A larger addition was constructed in 1975and dedicated as part of Stow’s celebration of the Bicentennial Year. The addition expanded the basement of the original building while preserving the upper levels in their original condition. This subterranean facility is the center of the library daily activities at the present. The second floor is used for library functions, quiet study areas, reference materials and as a community meeting room.

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